Mysterious Mr. Moto
| Mysterious Mr. Moto | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Norman Foster |
| Produced by | Sol M. Wurtzel |
| Screenplay by |
Philip MacDonald Norman Foster |
| Based on |
Mr. Moto novel series by John P. Marquand |
| Starring |
Peter Lorre Mary Maguire Henry Wilcoxon Erik Rhodes |
| Music by | Samuel Kaylin |
| Cinematography | Virgil Miller |
| Edited by | Norman Colbert |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mysterious Mr. Moto, produced in 1938 by Twentieth Century Fox, is the fifth in a series of eight films starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto.[2] The film is based on the character of Mr. Moto created by John P. Marquand, from an original screenplay by Philip MacDonald and Norman Foster.
It was originally known as Mysterious Mr. Moto of Devil's Island.
Synopsis
The film opens with a daring escape from the French penal colony on Devil’s Island. Mr. Moto, pretending to be Ito Matsuka, a Japanese murderer, is in the company of Paul Brissac, who belongs to a group of assassins. Brissac changes his name to Romero when they arrive in London and Moto stays on as his houseboy.
Moto then uncovers a plot to assassinate pacifist industrialist Anton Darvak.
Cast
- Peter Lorre as Mr. Kentaro Moto
- Mary Maguire as Ann Richman
- Henry Wilcoxon as Anton Darvak
- Erik Rhodes as David Scott-Frensham
- Harold Huber as Ernst Litmar
- Leon Ames as Paul Brissac (alias Romero)
- Forrester Harvey as George Higgins
- Fredrik Vogeding as Gottfried Brujo
- Lester Matthews as Sir Charles Murchison
- John Rogers as Sniffy
- Karen Sorrell as Lotus Liu
Production
Henry Wilcoxon replaced Michael Whalen in the cast.[3] It was an early Hollywood role for Australian actor Mary Maguire.[4]
During filming Peter Lorre, as Moto, impersonated a seventy-year-old German painter.[5]
Home Video Release
This film, along with Think Fast, Mr. Moto, Thank You, Mr. Moto and Mr. Moto Takes a Chance, was released on DVD in 2006 by 20th Century Fox as part of The Mr. Moto Collection, Volume One.
See also
- Think Fast, Mr. Moto
- Thank You, Mr. Moto
- Mr. Moto's Gamble
- Mr. Moto Takes a Chance
- Mr. Moto's Last Warning
- Mr. Moto in Danger Island
- Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
- The Return of Mr. Moto
References
- ↑ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: RKO and Cantor Negotiating for Comedian to Star on Percentage Basis MGM GETS WIMAN SHOW Acquires Rights to 'I Married an Angel'--New Mr. Moto Film Opens Today Picture for Bing Crosby Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] September 17, 1938: 20.
- ↑ NEWS OF THE SCREEN: George Arliss Will Appear in 'Suez' at 20th CenturyFox-Donald O'Connor Gets Role in Crosby Film Other Items at Fox Coast Scripts Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 12 Mar 1938: 13.
- ↑ RICHARD DIX CAST FOR 'GROUND CREW': To Star in Picture Which RKO Will Make One of Its More Impressive Productions DICK POWELL GETS ROLE Will Appear in 'The Hottentot'-'Start Cheering' Opens at Rialto Here This Morning Frances Farmer Replaced Coast Scripts Of Local Origin Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 16 Mar 1938: 21.
- ↑ In Hollywood With HEDDA HOPPER. The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C] 07 Apr 1938: X26.
- ↑ Age Moto 40 Years In 20 Minutes The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C] 08 May 1938: TT4.
External links
- Mysterious Mr. Moto on IMDb
- Mysterious Mr. Moto at AllMovie
- Mysterious Mr. Moto at the TCM Movie Database
- Mysterious Mr. Moto at the American Film Institute Catalog